Lugo, Joaquin N.Elston, ThomasBaylor University.2014-06-022014-06-022014-05-052014-06-02http://hdl.handle.net/2104/9025Aniracetam is a therapeutically useful cognition enhancer (nootropic) for alleviating anxiety and treating various neurodegenerative conditions. Aniracetam is shown to enhance both glutamatergic neurotransmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) formation. Previous studies of aniracetam have focused on acute administration in different models of disease and have demonstrated dramatic cognition-rescuing effects. We investigated if, given a daily oral regimen at a clinically established dose, cognitive performance could be elevated in healthy C57 Black 6 male mice. In a double-blind, placebo-control design, we investigated the performance-enhancing potential of aniracetam on a variety of aspects of cognitive behavior. This study is timely considering the growing community of laypeople self-administering nootropics. Our findings suggest that while aniracetam is clinically effective to reverse impairment it does not appear useful as a cognitive enhancer in unimpaired populations.en-USBaylor University projects are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.Aniracetamnootropicsbehavioral neuroscienceneuropharmacologyThesisWorldwide access.Access changed 3/2/2017.